Exploring the New Features of SQL Server: From SQL 2012 to Denali

SQL Server has evolved significantly over the years, with each version bringing in a wealth of new features and improvements. From the release of SQL 2012 to the upcoming Denali release, these advancements aim to enhance productivity, performance, and ease of management for database administrators and developers. This article delves into the key features of these releases, highlighting their significance in the broader context of database management.

Introduction to SQL 2012

SQL Server 2012, released in 2012, brought about a number of significant improvements. These were centered around enhancing administrative and management tasks, providing better performance, and adding new data querying and storage capabilities. Among the notable features were in-database processing of columnstore indexes, improved management capabilities, and support for the new T-SQL features, which translated directly into enhanced query performance and flexibility.

SQL 2012: Detailed Features Overview

1. Columnstore Indexes: Introduced in SQL Server 2012, this feature optimizes data storage, querying, and performance for large datasets. Columnstore indexes store data by column rather than by row, which can lead to more efficient querying of large data sets. This makes it particularly useful for business intelligence (BI), data warehousing, and large-scale reporting.

2. Data Compression: Another significant addition to SQL Server 2012 is the support for row and page compression. This not only reduces the storage footprint but also improves query performance by decreasing I/O operations. These features are adjustable on a per-table or per-clustered index basis, providing greater flexibility to tailor performance enhancement to specific requirements.

3. T-SQL Enhancements: With the introduction of new T-SQL features, SQL 2012 allows for more efficient and expressive coding. Key among these are the FOR XML, OPTION (OPTIMIZE FOR UNKNOWN), and RECOMPILE options, all of which enhance query optimization and performance.

The Upcoming Release: Denali

The next major release, commonly referred to as 'Denali', is anticipated to ship by mid-2011 and will present a series of new and enhanced features. This release promises to build on the foundation laid by SQL 2012, introducing further improvements in performance, manageability, and usability.

Denali: Key Features and Enhancements

1. In-row Compression: In-row compression is a significant addition to Denali. It extends the row compression introduced in SQL 2012, but this time at the row level. This feature is particularly beneficial for improving the storage efficiency of transactional workloads while maintaining performance.

2. Columnstore Indexes (and Columnstore Storage Engine): The introduction of columnstore indexes will be further enhanced in Denali. In addition to being more efficient for large data sets, this release will also introduce a columnstore storage engine, bringing more flexibility and capabilities to data storage and manipulation.

3. Query Store: A powerful new feature, the Query Store in Denali will allow you to manage and troubleshoot SQL queries more effectively. It records query performance information so that it can be analyzed and optimized over time, promising significant benefits in terms of query execution and performance tuning.

4. Data Quality Services: Delving deeper into data quality management, Denali introduces Data Quality Services, which offer a comprehensive approach to data quality management, including data cleansing, validation, and certification.

Conclusion: The Future of SQL Server

The transition from SQL 2012 to Denali marks a significant milestone in the evolution of SQL Server. Each release builds upon the previous one, introducing new features and capabilities that aim to enhance database management, improve performance, and reduce costs. As we look towards the future, the continued innovation in SQL Server promises to bring greater efficiency and flexibility to users across various industries.